vinspired awards FAQs

The vinspired awards are a recognition scheme for volunteers aged 14 to 25. They have been designed to celebrate the efforts and achievements of volunteers aged 14-25 in England and recognise the amazing things young people do. They are designed to show colleges, universities and potential employers the positive impact young volunteers have had on their communities and the skills they have gained through their experiences.

We hope these FAQs will support you in completing our vinspired awards. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, please email awardssupport@vinspired.com

1. Why have you changed the vinspired awards scheme?

A: We have been listening to your feedback and conducted research with both young people and volunteer involving organisations. You have told us that:

• You would like a ‘starter award’, to encourage young people to start volunteering.

• You like the vfifty

• You would like an easier award than the vimpact

• You would like to be able to gain accreditation for your volunteering

To respond to your feedback, we have introduced the following:

• The v10 will now recognise 10 hours of volunteering. This is the vinspired ‘starter award’.

• The v50 remains in place.

• The v100 will now recognise 100 hours of volunteering. This is the ‘easier’ vimpact award.

• We are working towards introducing an accredited award (through ASDAN) which will be the equivalent to a full GCSE at grade B. This should be available early in 2012.

2. How are the new vinspired awards different?

• There are two new awards available, the v10 and the v100.

• The awards can only be done once.

• The awards are now cumulative, (so when you have completed a v10 you will only have to do an additional 40 hours to achieve your v50).

• You can now choose to work towards any of the awards (you don’t need to have completed a v50 to start the v100).

• You can download a certificate for the v10.

3. I am already logging hours towards an award. How do these changes affect me?

A: If you are currently recording hours towards a v50 or a vimpact award, please see the below table which will give you information on how you can complete your award, or transfer your hours to one of our new awards.

4. How long do you get to complete a vinspired award?

A: Ideally you should start and complete an award within 12 months.

5. If I have already completed a vfifty, can I claim the v10?

A: No. You have already achieved and received a certificate for a higher award. There is no need to go backwards. Now, you can continue towards a higher award, the v100, or use our new Volunteering Portfolio to keep recording your hours, skills and experiences:

6. If I have already completed a vimpact, can I claim the v100?

A: No. You have already completed 150 hours volunteering and received a higher award. Well done! You can use our new Volunteering Portfolio to keep recording your hours, skills and experiences Also, we are currently working towards providing an accredited award (grade B at GCSE); please keep an eye on vinspired.com for further details.

7. My name is wrong on my v10 online certificate, can I change it?

A: No. a new v10 certificate cannot be generated once it has been downloaded. The system uses the name from your registration.

8. I have already logged 100 hours; will I be prompted to apply for a v100 when I sign back in?

A: Yes. If you have logged 100 hours but not applied for any award, you can choose your goal award. On the progress bar, you can apply for any of the awards, v10, v50 or v100 but remember that the awards are progressive and once you have applied for either the v50 or v100 you cannot go backwards.

9. Do I need a referee for the v100? A: Yes you will need a referee for the v100. 10. If I haven’t completed my vimpact by the end of December, can I change to v100?

A: Yes.

If you need further clarification, please contact awardssupport@vinspired.com